Getting crafty these holidays

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Seeing as though the holidays are almost here I thought I’d do a fun post on various arts and crafts activities you could do with your kids during this period which will not break any budget and which the kids will enjoy! Also great to do over weekends when the rain keeps you indoors. Lets face it, kids don’t like walking around a shopping centre and if they’re anything like mine then they’ll appreciate doing a hands on activity so much more! This will also keep both Mom and Dad sane when cabin fever sets in.

Enjoy getting crafty!

1.     DIY balloon bowl

Definitely something we will be doing in the Thomas home within the next few week (including me, cannot wait to make a gold glitter bowl)

Supplies needed
Glitter / Buttons / Leaves / Confetti
Modge Podge or craft glue
Foam paint brush
Balloon
Vase / Empty Toilet roll to hold the balloon up

Instructions
Refer to pictures below

2.     Homemade silly putty

Supplies needed

1 bottle of Clear School Glue (147ml)
The same amount of water (147 ml)
1/2 teaspoon of Borax (from hardware shop)
1/2 cup hot water
A few sprinkles of silver & blue glitter
A few drops of blue food colouring

Instructions

Pour your glue into a bowl
Fill the same bottle with water and add to the glue
Stir until well combined
Add a few drops of blue food colouring & stir again
Add a few sprinkles of the glitter & give it another good stir
In a separate cup, add 1/2 cup of hot water
Add 1/2 a teaspoon of the Borax to the water and stir until dissolved
Pour this solution into your original bowl with the glue and water

This is the best part! Stir and watch the magic happen! Doesn’t it look cool! It may take you a few minutes to make sure it’s all combined properly

Enjoy this fun, sensory activity!

3.     Salt and Ice experiment

Frozen hands

Supplies needed
Latex gloves
Water
Food colouring
Twist ties
Baking tray

Instructions
Fill a glove with water.  Leave yourself a couple of inches at the top because you’re going to have to twist it shut.

Add a drop or two of food colouring, and shake the glove to disperse the colour.

Twist glove tightly a couple of times and secure snugly with a twist-tie.

Lay glove in baking pan. (the pan will catch any water in the even that a glove leaks.

Place pan in freezer overnight, or if outside temps are cold enough, place the gloves outside overnight like I did.

4.     Salt Dough prints

Supplies needed
Salt
Flour
Water

Instructions

Refer to pictures below, decide on what you will be making beforehand.

5.     Letter Art

Supplies needed
Wooden letter (can be found at any craft store, Spiro’s hardware or PNA) or alternatively cut out letters from cardboard boxes
1 – 3 (more if you prefer) types of wool / yarn
Craft glue
 
Instructions
Apply craft glue to the back side of the letter (do in sections, start either from top or bottom) then start wrapping wool / yarn around, apply more glue and continue.

Once you’re done, add any flowers or other embellishments of your choice.

6.     Canvas Art

Supplies needed
Canvas
Paint
Paint brushes / sponges / plastic bottle and little hands

Instructions
Ensure kids have an apron or old t-shirt on
Lay canvas on table / floor / covered surface
Give them whatever tool they’d like to use

Let them enjoy!

7.     Rock art

Supplies needed
Rocks or pebbles (beach rocks are normally the nicest and easiest to work with)
Paint
Paint brushes / sponges / plastic bottle and little hands

Instructions
Ensure kids have an apron or old t-shirt on
Lay rocks on table / floor / covered surface
Give them whatever tool they’d like to use

Let them enjoy!

8.     No-sew heart pillow

Supplies needed
Felt or polar fleece (must be threadless) preferably in 2 or more colours
Scissors
Wadding (Cotton)

Instructions
Put the fabrics one over the other. Cut a big heart. After that draw a smaller heart inside the bigger one. Be sure to leave at least 2 – 3 cm between the two borders.

This is very important, because when you cut the stripes (as shown at the image) they must be long enough so that you can tie them.

Start to tie every two stripes, which one over another.

Tie all the stripes in this way.

Do not forget to stuff the heart with wadding (cotton) before you close the heart.

At the end, you can reduce the length of the stripes to make your heart bushy.

9.     Easy no cook play dough

* Warning: Be careful of allergies and sensitivities. Some young children have difficulty and are sensitive to flour.

Play-dough allows children to exercise their fingers for pre-writing skills and fine motor activities.

Supplies needed
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups boiling water

Optional: add a few drops of food coloring and/or scent

Instructions
Allow the children to help mix the ingredients with the exception of the boiling water.

When the water is poured in and stirred around a bit then it will have cooled off enough for them to mix the entire amount.

Once this is done, you’re done!

Happy crafting!
LT